Did you know that more than 45 million children in the United States play an organized sport? While sports are great for improving a child’s physical health, sports also play such an overall role in a child’s development.

Sports can help children to learn to work as a team, as well as increase their own self-confidence. While our team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City enjoys the benefits sports can bring, we also want you to take action when it comes to preventing common sports injuries.

Are Sports Injuries Common?

Consider that 45 million American kids and teens participate in sports—among those kids, there are 3.5 million sports injuries each year. Those are the injuries actually reported to a medical provider, so there are likely other, more minor injuries that occur, too.

The injuries most common will vary from sport to sport, but there are some injuries that are most common in sports overall.

Common Sports Injuries

• Minor bruises
• Sprains
• Strains
• Eye injuries
• Concussions
• Broken bones
• ACL injuries

How Can I Prepare My Child for Sports?

Here in the extreme heat of August in east Tennessee, it is especially important to make sure your child is ready to go when practice and games begin. That starts with helping him or her gradually work up to a certain level of physical activity—ideally, this should begin a few weeks before a sport season begins.

It’s also important to teach your child to be aware of the heat and to stop and take breaks when and as needed.

Ways to Prevent Sports Injury

• Obtain a sports physical to check for any underlying conditions.
• Wear proper equipment for the sport being played.
• Warm up before and after a practice and/or game.
• Make sure playing surfaces are well-maintained.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink water before, during and after practices and games.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

Does your child still need to complete his or her sports physical? Visit AFC Urgent Care Fountain City today. We are open seven days a week!